Stakeholders from demographic and vulnerable groups meet at the Hotel Central in Kremnica to discuss the opportunities or potential problems of the project.

There is a flurry of activity in the foothills of the Tatra Mountains in central Slovakia. International investors are looking to reopen the Kremnica mines and they want the public's opinion on it. Tournigan Gold has contracted Golder Associates to conduct technical and environmental reviews as well as a public consultation process to identify priorities, understand local needs, and discuss issues related to gold mining in the Kremnica area.

Stakeholder meetings have been held with groups representing a variety of interests: from environment and heritage groups, to religious, ethnic and business leaders. "We are working to make sure that we've got broad participation from residents and stakeholders," says Helen Russell, Social Analyst with Golder Associates. The goal of these meetings is to present the potential project and discuss priorities, concern, and ideas with local residents.

Once meetings with stakeholders are finished, Golder Associates will return to Tournigan Gold to identify ways the project can potentially tackle local issues and manage any project-related risks. Final plans for the project will be published in August next year.

For more information on how to get involved, please visit www.kremnica-gold.com or contact Helen Russell of Golder Associates at hrussell@golder.com or Lubos Vrbicky of Centrum Komunitneho Organizovania at lubik@cko.sk.

Kirstie Shepherd
is a freelance journalist living in Vienna
and has called the Danube River Basin home since 2000.